Alternative Pathway to Permanent Residency
As the number of eligible occupations under Skilled Visa (Subclass 189) continues to decrease, migrants are turning to specific states and territories with hope of securing permanent residence. The main pathway towards securing a state sponsored permanent residence is via the Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa. This is a permanent visa which allows skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident. Family members can be included in one application.
In order to qualify for this visa, an applicant must:
Be under 45 at the time of invitation from the relevant state or territory;
Have their occupation on specific state/territory skilled occupation list;
Meet the points test ;
Be nominated by a state or territory government;
Have competent English; and,
Be invited to apply.
Each state and territory publish their unique skilled occupation lists which differ from the Australian Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This in turn makes Subclass 190 visa an attractive alternative if an occupation is removed from the MLTSSL. An applicant will be required to reside in the state/territory for which they receive their invitation to apply. By receiving an invitation from state/territory, an applicant is also awarded an additional five points towards their points score.
From July 2017 until October approximately 1378 invitations have been issued with Victoria (VIC) leading at 466 followed by Queensland (QLD) with 303 invitations issued to date. It should be noted that Subclass 190 visas are subject to occupation ceilings. This requirements is consistent with other visa subclasses in the General Skilled Migration (GSM) category.
Each state and territory will publish specific information on their requirements in order to obtain the Skilled Nominated Visa. This includes specific occupation requirements, occupation ceilings and any additional requirements.
A good example is Australian Capital Territory (ACT) website which states that ACT is accepting applications for streamlined nomination of PhD graduates from Canberra institutions from 1 November 2016. Subject to meeting Australian Government requirements, international students awarded a PhD by an ACT university can apply for fast tracked nomination to live and work in Canberra through the State/Territory nominated (Subclass 190) visa. Applicants from other parts of Australia and from overseas can apply for streamlined ACT nomination if PhD was awarded by an ACT university no more than two years before applying.
South Australian (SA) state website, is another example specific benefits of applying for Subclass 190 visa are listed including:
Priority processing by DIBP;
5 points for a 190 - Skilled Nominated visa towards the DIBP points test;
Access to a more extensive occupation list;
An opportunity to live and work in a city ranked the 5th most liveable in the world; and,
Information and services from the state government to help you settle in SA and find employment.
Tasmanian (TAS) state website lists some of specific obligations relating to its nomination requirements:
Notifying the state government of arrival to Tas;
Updating contact details;
Completing surveys; and,
Fulfilling commitment to live and work in TAS for two years.
For further details, please visit specific state or territory government website. State occupation lists are updated throughout the year with TAS and SA releasing their latest skilled occupations lists just last month.
Australian immigration requirements continue to evolve constantly to keep up with local demands for skilled labour. SCA Connect provides migration assistance to individuals and organisations across Australia. To speak with one of our migration agents on matters of state sponsored visas, please contact our office today.
We also provide free online visa assessments for prospective applicants. To complete an online assessment on your eligibility for an Australian visa, please click here.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute immigration advice. For more detailed and case specific information or advice, please contact SCA Connect.
